Tidal waves, tsunamis and earthquakes are often triggered by the eruption
of underwater volcanoes. Such eruptions were the probable cause of past
tragedies and are still as destructive today. But now scientists know about
the presence of active underwater volcanoes, and are studying ways to
predict their behaviour in order to prevent future tragedies on a grand
scale. Far from the Indonesian coast that was recently devastated by a
tsunami, the coastline of Sicily is alive with many active volcanoes, not
all of which are on dry land.